Aiming at synergy effect by combining reinforced
biochemical diagnostics business with biosensor expertise

2003/10/14

ABX International S.A. (Montpellier, France), a 100% subsidiary of HORIBA, Ltd. (Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan; President: Atsushi Horiba) that plays a central role in its medical business, has recently acquired BioPep S.A., a diagnostics development venture in France.

BioPep is a venture company with expertise in the development and manufacture of reagents for hemagglutination assay. Acquisition of BioPep will enable ABX to develop and manufacture reagents for hemagglutination assay in house, thereby reinforcing its biochemical diagnostics equipment business. BioPep also has a biosensor technology for measuring protein-cell binding which, in combination with diagnostic equipment for individual diseases, will lead to the development of more compact equipment with higher accuracy. HORIBA is determined to strengthen cooperation among its group companies to strategically exploit this series of biotechnologies.